St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-02-12
hcNEsr PATRIOTISM.
A Man who II willing to Sacrifice Him.
self for His C0untry's Sake.


ought to be lined with forts and guns
rs a warning to Europe against declar-
ing war against us some morning before
breakfast. Engineers have surveyed
and reported, and Congressional COM
mittecs have sat and reported. and for
about $50. .OOo. 900 we can get things in
such shape that when the easmys first
iron-clad heaves in sight sbe can be
salutcd in proper style.
A lot of us were sitting In the depot
waiting-room at Trenton. and the only
man who had . newspaper was reading
away for dear life. when . stranger
entered with two sachels and tall
girl. chusged the baggage under a seat:
waved the girl to another. and walked
up to the man with the newspaper and
asked:
Mister, is there any thing in the
paper about our coast defenses?'
mo. SIR" was the gruG reply.
That's singular. HYe they giveL
up the idea, do you think?
Il don't know what you mean. sir.
"You don't? Why. they've been talk
-ng for the last year about building forts
tn protect our coasts. live down near
the mouth Of Toms river, and rather
expect they'll build big fort there.
The way things are now England.
France or Germany could declare war
against us and land force at Toms
river before we had our eyes open.
They'd land right on my farm. and no.
body knows the damage they'd do.
Don't see any thing about fort. at
Toms river. eh?'
NO. sir"
"Well. that's singular. II this gov
ernment expects ME to get down behind
II rock with my old shotgun and keep
Europe from landing at that point it's
expecting lcctle too much Of one man.
I'd fight to the death. Of coarse. but the
chances are that Il hull navy could lick
one nigh-sighted man. SD the paper
don't SAY any thing?"
Didn't tell you no in the first
place.
Say. mcbbe Won don't keer a copper
about coast dcfensesr' exclaimed the
two-sachel nm rs red spot appeared
ON either cheek.
''Not Il copper. sir!
IL thought so from the start! You
live out in Michigan or Indiana or llli-
nois. and are tucked away in some holler
where the sheriff cant tind We. let alone
an invader Of our sacred sile! q. no.
you don't keerr'
..Father!" chidcl the tall girl. rs she
half rose; but he turned on her with:
"Miry. You keep shet! I've ailus
thought il f ,rope declared war agin us
we'd have plenty of enemies right ut
home. and here's case to prove it!
Stranger. did you fit in the last WARP"
None o your business. SIR
There's his open hand. geptirmen!'
said the two-sachel man. rs he turned
to the crowd. when you find man
who don't keer how soon the hull
of Europe jumps on this country
YOU have found a man who'd di.
up the bones Of Washington and sell
'em to junk m IN for five iollars!'
The man with the newspaper laid it
down, got on his feet. and askel the
other If he would step outdoors u min
ute.
mo. sir. 1 won'tr was the prompt
reply. lin the fast place, I've got
these two sachels to purtect; in the
second place, there's M.ry: in the thir,l
place. I don't fight with no man whp
didn't fight in the last war. In the fust
place asked We If there was any thing
i'm the paper aboat our coast defenscs. y
"And said no. You idiot!'
"Ani you said You didn't keer!
..Neither do IT,
..There's his hand agin. gentlemen!
While I'm living behind rock at Tom $
river. waiting to sell my life inydefence
Of my country. here's feller from
Coon Holler. State of Indiana, who
don't keer cooper's copper how quick
Europe kivers the site of New Jersey
with the blood Of our bravest mcn!'
.Father" chidei Mary again.
"Lemme alone. Mary! You know all
about carpet rags and darning and
houscwork, but YOU never heard the
rumble Of war. II Europe is going tn
Jump onto this country want to know
who's going to shoot me in the back as
l face the enemy"
The man with the newspaper opened
it and sat down with a dangerous gilt
ter in his eyes. and there was a solemn
silence for few minutes. Then the
Toms river man edged over to Mary
and they slid out doors together. Then
he beckoned through the open window
to three or four Of us. aud rs we went
out he surrounded us and whispcred:
Gentlemen. it's my solemn opinion
that that fcllcr is jannisary from
Europe who has come over here tO cOaN
Uncle Sam not to put up any coast de-
fences. Iwant to say right here. ant
l want you to hear it and remember it
that if the enemy land ut Toms river il
will be over my dead body. And
won't be to blame for in Quad
in Detroit Free Press.
~ Some sewing women have no knOwl
edge Of housework. Very well. Lc
them work for their board while the,
learn. They would have plenty of goo,
food and good hon.. Ta.y would b'
better of than they are npw when thei'
$3.50 or g Or 81 week has to pay fol
their scanty food and fuel IN wretchet
rooms, and nothing is left. GoOt